Weekday Musings

Happy "Cyber Monday"!  It's time to step away from the sales and get to work! But first escape with me and see what's been shakin' on H Street...


Eating | E-v-e-r-y-thannnng!  The whole week surrounding Thanksgiving was delicious.  I mean we might as well call it as we see it - it's "Binge-giving"!  But boy am I thankful!

Watching | We signed up for a trial of Showtime... and are gorging ourselves on Homeland!  Carrie be cray but we can't stop; won't stop.

Home*Work |  A few projects have been up my sleeve for the living room.  Including shelves to create some symmetry and re-arranging our gallery wall.  Watch here for an update soon (promise!)

Crushing On |  Jimmy Fallon.  After he did this collaboration with J.Crew, I fell hard for American's funny front man and haven't been able to get enough! I absolutely love his remake of "Hello" with Adele.

Reading | Although I'm averaging over a book a month I feel like a complete failure.  The New York Time's 100 Notable Books of 2015 is out and I haven't read a one! Have you picked up any of these recs?  What are you reading?

Thankful For | Getting time with the fam.  Even though we have the Hubs's family here in DC, we don't see them as often as we'd like. It's so nice when time slows and we all gather in the living room just to catch up.

Thinking About | Christmas! I know this was my answer just a few short weeks ago but still... the music is blaring and the wreath's on the door!  Akkkk I just can't get enough!!

Wearing | I'm living in these snazzy flats with slight Trump guilt.  Good thing the dog's sporting this! It's all about balancing right??

* Photo?  My dear friends with their mom host Second Thanksgiving each year.  I can't even begin to explain the love that fills the table.

Now... how's your week, lovely?!

A message of Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving!  I hope your day is filled with joy, family, friends and... lots of turkey!  I'm so thankful for this community and the adventure of life!  Live each day with gratitude.

Love the table setting? Get inspired here.

Weekday Musings

It's been awhile... how's it shakin'? Here's where I'm at...

Eating | Now our farm share is over, we've been naughty!  Toki Underground, Bombay Club, Thai Orchid - the list goes on... To break our bad habit we're starting Blue Apron this week.  I'm giddy for our first box to arrive and dare I say a little nervous!  Have you tried it?  What do you think?

Watching | The Hubs and I are not movie goers.  We're more the Apple TV and air popped popcorn with a blanket type.  But have you seen the movie line up this season?  Well there's the new James Bond, the last of the Hunger Games and wait for it... STAR WARS! So where will we be on the weekends? Find us at the theater!

Home*Work | We're closing in on the living room.  And I can't wait for the room reveal!  Still working on the cushion for the window seat, bookshelves and a TV stand. It takes time and cash but we know it's worth being patient.

Crushing On | Cocktail napkins are one of my favorite accessories. And cheeky cocktail napkins... well they just get me.  I love everything from August Morgan but these Hair of the Dog ones - OMGEEEE!

Reading | I've been eyeing Anna Spiro's Absolutely Beautiful Things ever since it hit the shelves in the U.S.  I finally bit the bullet and bought the vivacious book! Now that I'm pawing through like it's the Kentucky Derby!

Thankful For | Sugar Paper for Target's holiday collection! The ribbon, wrapping paper and tags - woah! View with caution, otherwise you'll end up like me buying the whole stock!

Thinking About | Christmas!!! I know it's early but this year we're heading to Montana for a white Christmas full of family, fun and Woodley.  Yep that's right folks, we're driving across country so we can bring the dog.  Judge us if you must but we're excited about making the trek and stopping along the way to hug friends and family.  Eeeek I can't wait!!

Wearing | A few days in Phoenix for my day job made me forget the DC cold but now I'm back in the Emerald City, I'm wearing my winter coat. If it has to be cold, at least I can look snazzy... am right, or am I right?! This coat and these boots need to get in my closet!!

*Photo?  A little Arizona cacti friend from my work trip

Halloween Edit '15

There is no denying Halloween is one of my favorite holidays. Bring on the ghosts, goblins, monsters and witches! Who doesn't love curling up on the couch and getting spooky with a scary movie? There just something about this time of year. Here's the Mrs. 2015 Halloween edit to help you get in the spirit:

(Clockwise) Black and White Striped Candlesticks || Gold Sparkly Mouse Ears (Just because you're adult doesn't mean you can't dress up) || Silver Skull || Hocus Pocus Felt Balls (string them into a garland or keep it classy by letting them rest in a clear glass vase) || Brass Pumpkin || Trick or Treat Card

Weekday Musings

Eating | Grilled halloumi cheese and homemade pasta! Crossing off another dish on our food quest to eat all 40 essential dishes of DC, we grabbed dinner with friends this past Sunday at Republic. To our dismay, the dish on the list (burrata) had been taken off the menu but we powwowed and all agreed the halloumi counts. I just wish this place wasn't so far away - it's easily a competitor for one of my all time DC favs - The Red Hen.
Watching | "Hellllloooo everybody..." I am so ready for season 2 of Whine About It - Matt makes me laugh like whoah but I also wonder what really happens at BuzzFeed....
Home*Work | After strolling through the Dupont Home Tour this weekend, our project list has doubled - whoops! I especially fell in love with Kerra Michele of Apt Envy's apartment --gah-- why did I ever leave?! SWOON! A nod toward Carrie Bradshaw's re-done apartment in Sex & the City, every inch of her apartment did as promised - I am filled with ENVY! Now to just get that look... Crushing On | Kate Spade's new book All in Good Taste.  I love a good how to hostess book - so I can't wait to get my paws on this one and learn more about the charms of this classic brand.
Reading | I set my alarm early for the past week in order to devour Orphan Train. If it's not on your reading list, it's time to scratch it in - I'm serious! Next on my kill list? Mindy Kaling's second book Why Not Me? If it's anything like her first book, I know I'm in for a treat!
Thankful For | The Hub's return.  After one week of single dog momming it (I know it's nowhere near the real thing!), I am just happy to have him home.  It always amazes me how much easier it is to keep up a household when there are two contributors.
Thinking About |  HALLOWEEN! Growing up 3 miles from town, we never had trick-o-treaters but now living in our little row house, our door bell rings nonstop and the neighborhood kids dress to the nines! I hope one of the kiddies can compete with this little girl! Aren't her costumes just aces?
Wearing | The temperature has really dropped and now I'm wearing sweaters. Sweaters! What is it about sweater weather that just makes my heart smile?! Maybe I should get this candle to pay homage... 

Fall Edit '15

Oh me, oh my! How much do I love thee? Fall always brings out the best for fashion as far as I'm concerned and because there is a chill you can keep layering it on!  As the leaves change it's time to celebrate these new classics...

Field Parka (Did you know we have a new Filson store in town?! Combining my two loves - durability and style - I could wear this jacket while hunting grouse or trotting through a Smithsonian #winning) | Yes Please Flats (Love at first sight and you know I adored Amy Poehler's book...) | Tortoiseshell Links (Admittedly I've had this necklace for a few years but it never gets old) | Red Tote (Perfect size for weekend adventures and meetings both) | Sunnies (To shield your eyes from that October sky!)

Life by Design

Hello lovelies. I hope the beginning of your week is like a sparkly pair of new shoes!  

* Holy buckets - a whole basket of fabric samples for the window seat has been whittled down to just a few charmers! We still are waiting for estimates from Timothy Paul but how bright and cheerful are these textiles? Love at first sight!

* In other news, our farm share has been straight up killing it. Between Asian pears and Rappahannock oysters - our plates are fit for a king and queen and oh the adventure! Our kitchen full of our farm bounty is like a still life painting. And it's so tasty too! The Hubs was inspired to dial down on Cochon's grilled oysters and OMG I just wish we had more than two dozen of these buggers - gah - so delicious!

* We flew the coop and escaped to Virginia to camp and fly fish this weekend. In the spirit of spooky (it is October after all), Woodley haunted us like the villain of The Shining. For real! There was eating of many mysterious (and not so mysterious) items that looked like remnants from a frat party (GROSS!) and major whining! Double naughty! He hated waiting on the river bank as the hubs and I cast our lines too. Although it is recent history, somehow we're still smiling and relaying the story makes me laugh so hard my sides hurt. Maybe that's the silver-lining?

Have monumental weeks!

Greece

One year ago, the Hubs and I were honeymooning in Greece! A year feels forever to be away from such a magical place. The food and people truly made the experience - OY - if only America had good souvlaki! Given it's Friday, let's daydream and stroll back to the cobble streets of Greece for a second look.

ATHENS

We started our trip in Athens and trekked up the steep mountain to the Parthenon before taking off to Mykonos. 

NERD alert!  We were the best tourists among Greek teenagers playing hooky from school on the hill.

We go up close and personal to the Acropolis.  Still the oldest building I've ever been near AND such a beauty!

MYKONOS

Next, we took a plane to Mykonos where we rented an ATV and buzzed around the island like true Euros!  When not on the ATV, or "Piggy" as the locals called them, we sunbathed on the beach with champagne, ate - YES - more souvlaki and explored the beach town.  The beaches truly look like a Gray Malin photo so you know I was drooling!

The second day, we took in the Island of Delos - a mythological, historical and archaeological wonder.  You guys! I can't believe I forgot to pack my Alethea sandals for the perfect Greek moment!

SANTORINI

We ferried to Santorini where the buildings popped from the cliffs white as snows! We took our breakfast every morning on our room's balcony and drank champagne as the sun set.  The beauty of Santorini is a real thing - it's SPECTACULAR! Surprisingly we had a wonderful sushi meal our first night at Ginger - one of our only meals that strayed from the native cuisine... and souvlaki! 

CRETE

Our last stop was Crete.  What a different experience than the Cyclades Islands of Mykonos and Santorini. A mountainous place, Crete is it's own beauty too!  We rented a car and started to drive. Lunching in a tiny mountain town away from the tourist scene - our hearts smiled from the kind people, friendly street dogs and warm food we encountered.  And of course we had more souvlaki! 

Avrio Greece until we meet again! Can't stop, won't stop loving you - I think you're stuck with me!  You too Hubs! 

Weekday Musings

Eating | Kale salad with crisp apples and poppyseed dressing a la Bucky Mitchell!  Last Friday night we took a cooking class with the Hub's parents and Bucky. He's got a fresh take on basics and they're all healthy!! Naturally, we paired the salad with Toki Underground's ramen last night (a half cheat doesn't count right?!)
Home*Work | After a visit to Timothy Paul with Mr. P, we've narrowed down the fabric for the window seat cushion and some funky pillows.  We're so close!  I can't wait to lounge in these lux patterns and cross this off the 101 in 1001 list.
Crushing On | Do you remember that SNL skit with Molly Shannon doing the armpit sniff?  Flash foward and that's me with this new hand soap. After I wash my hands I find myself secretly sniffing my hands all day long. Call me crazy but Savon de Marseille Extra Pur Rose is heaven!
Reading | Tim Gunn's Natty Professor is full of wit and humor. CAUTION! Reading this charmer makes you want to hold hands with the fashion favorite and never let go - gah what a dream!
Thankful For | Health. With the leaves turning sickness is bound to ensue but the Hubs and I have steadily remained healthy and thank goodness.  And duh, fall is my favorite season - Halloween, apple cider and butternut squash soup! Akkk I can't afford to get sick and miss it!
Thinking About | Camping this weekend is a must! With Columbus Day on Monday, I have to get outside - no excuses. A little fly fishing wouldn't hurt either.  But tracking down camping spots in this area is like a serious game of Russian Roulette! Hoping for a little Shenandoah action... stay tuned...
Watching | Y'all Mindy is back so you know we're not watching anything else... Except maybe a little Project Runway and Modern Family... Don't you just love fall TV?! (Not so) secret... the Hubs truly digs these shows too #Winning
Wearing | I'm head over heels for these flats!  OMG that color! What a punchy way to welcome the fall... And so good with my classic navy and white stripes... BEEP BEEP... I think I hear the mail man! *Image cred.